SmartHub Account Login 
Fiber FAQ
The Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Project
Our electric cooperative is building a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network – the gold standard of communications transmission – over its existing electric distribution infrastructure that will take fiber directly into homes and businesses and deliver reliable, high-speed internet services.
This FTTH buildout encompasses over 1,800 miles of fiber and will ultimately reach 100% of more than 10,000 members. The buildout will provide access to broadband benefits for thousands of rural Arkansas homes and businesses.
The buildout will be completed in phases, and eventually, it will reach all of our 10,000 members. Construction is complete and service is currently being installed in the Arkadelphia, Richwoods, Alpine, Amity, Bismarck, Curtis, Daisy, Murfreesboro, Delight, Glenwood, Okolona, South Fork, Centerpoint zones as well as some of the Nathan, Whelen Springs and Caddo Valley zones. Construction is still underway to bring services to the Gurdon and Hope East zones and we have started collecting data for many more, off-system builds.
Service will be available to 100% of our cooperative members as well as many in surrounding communities that are non-members. You can check availability for your address by using the "Service Map" link at the top of this page.
South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s fiber subsidiary South Central Connect, offers fiber internet, TV, and telephone services to members within the co-op’s service territory. The subsidiary is a separate company and will be managed separately from the electric cooperative. While South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative will manage its electric grid to provide electricity across our service territory, members will get their broadband services through South Central Connect. Members will be billed separately for their electric service and their broadband service.
South Central Connect’s SmartHub portal allows members to enter their electric account number and home or business address to determine if the household or business is in the service area, and/or when service might be available. The portal is continually updated as construction progresses and will be accessible through smartphones and other electronic devices.
No. Electric rates will not be raised to subsidize the buildout or deployment.
The Technology – Internet Service
Fiber-optic systems are made up of tiny strands of glass that carry data using light waves, resulting in much faster internet speeds and better reliability than traditional copper lines. Most internet providers use fiber in their systems but use copper lines for the final connections to the home, resulting in slower speeds. South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative and fellow cooperatives believe FTTH is the best, most sustainable communications choice. With our FTTH service, we offer “symmetrical” speeds, meaning you will enjoy the same high speeds whether uploading or downloading.
A fiber-optic network sends and receives data at the speed of light. In addition to super-fast transmission speeds, a fiber-optic network can carry an extremely high amount of data. Fiber is also more reliable than other networks because it is less susceptible to interference and damage from lightning and other acts of nature.
Broadband commonly refers to high-speed internet access that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up access. Broadband fiber-optic networks can deliver voice, data, video, and email services over the internet.
The Next Steps – Getting Service
South Central Connect offers a package with a minimum of 100 Mbps (megabits per second) upload and download speeds (symmetrical service) for a monthly price of $49.95. We also offer a package with a maximum of 1000 Mbps (1 gigabit) upload and download speeds for $99.95 per month. Managed Wi-Fi services are also available.
Yes. Potential subscribers are encouraged to preregister for services through SmartHub. The tool will check availability for your address and if you follow the prompts to register for a SmartHub account, you're information will be added to the list to be processed and connected. If you already have a SmartHub account, please use it to make changes and/or add services.
There are no data caps or bandwidth throttling (intentional slowing or speeding of internet service) with this service.
South Central Connect also offers voice (VoIP) and TV services in addition to broadband internet service. Internet service is required to sign up for voice or TV service.
No. There is no minimum service agreement required.
The wait time can vary drastically as there are several different opportunities for delays and setbacks when constructing a network such as ours. We encourage those interested to sign up as early as possible to be placed on the installation list.
South Central Connect offers commercial services to connect your business with fiber internet and phone (up to 4 phone lines). Commercial rates are available on our Business Internet page.
Construction of a fiber network is a complex process involving numerous contractors and is dependent on a number of variables that include the length of the circuit, terrain and soils, weather, and other external factors. Most distribution lines are a mix of overhead and underground construction. Construction is divided into six phases for an overhead distribution project.
Step 1: Make Ready Engineering – 2 to 4-Week Process
The project begins with the design of the fiber build. Once the design is set, field engineers determine if modifications to any poles are required to support the fiber and the steel strand that accompanies it. Poles may need to be moved to make more space, or they may need to be replaced with stronger or taller poles. During the first phase, inspectors will also “ride out” the build, visiting every location throughout the project area and making notations of changes that may need to be made. During make-ready engineering and assessment, we also make sure every member in the territory is included in the build. This phase can take two to four weeks.
Step 2: Make Ready Construction – 4 to 12-Week Process
The timeline for make-ready construction can vary widely, typically from one-to-three months. During this phase, crews make the changes necessary to accommodate fiber. Line crews change poles, move transformers from one side of the pole to another, move wires on the pole, add new anchors to the poles, and perform other work to allow the fiber to be placed during the fiber construction phase.
Step 3: Fiber Construction – 4 to 8-Week Process
Fiber crews will begin the process of adding fiber-optic cable and steel strands to pole lines throughout the community. This process can vary whether electric lines are above or below ground. If underground, asphalt and concrete driveways will be bored under. A pedestal may be placed next to a transformer or junction box to allow for a service drop. Fiber construction can take four to eight weeks in the designated zone.
Step 4: Main Line Splicing – 3 to 6-Week Process
Once both the strand and fiber are placed and secured, splicing can begin. Splicing can take three to six weeks for the main lines. In this phase, splicing technicians splice the necessary cables at each end and tap point and mount them in enclosures secured to the distribution poles or in pedestals.
Step 5: Service Drop Construction
Service drop construction may be done simultaneously with some of the previously mentioned steps, or it may not be done until after the mainline fiber is in place. In this phase, the drop crews extend the fiber from the nearest splice point to the structure receiving service and leave coils of fiber in each location.
Step 6: Drop Splicing
Drop splicing is the next to last step of the process. The splicing technician connects the last length of the fiber at the tap point and mounts a network interface device (NID) at the structure with the final splice inside it.
After drop splicing is completed, the network is now ready to be turned over for in-home installation to start receiving service.
Step 7: Installation
One of our subscriber representatives will contact you to schedule your in-home install. During installation, the fiber is connected to a fiber jack inside your home or office, where it’s plugged into the Optical Network Terminal (ONT) we provide. Once the installation is complete and tested, your service is ready to go. Welcome to the world of high-speed internet!
Fiber construction often involves digging or trenching. Our contractors are trained to minimize any damage, and should any occur, to repair before leaving the job. Feel free to call us at (855) 269-3429 or (870) 246-3429 to share any concerns about the construction process.
The Benefits
Our communities have long suffered from a lack of broadband equality – access to the same speeds and capabilities as those in less rural areas. Broadband availability across our service area will help close the digital divide between those who have access to advanced technology and those who do not.
A few of the many advantages of broadband access are:
- Online education opportunities – allowing students to learn from home
- Healthcare benefits such as telemedicine
- Work-from-home interoffice connectivity and videoconferencing capabilities that will help professionals stay in their homes while being productive
- Quality of life improvements through enhanced communications
- Economic development and growth in rural areas – access to high-speed internet can raise home prices and attract businesses to communities
In addition, by connecting South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s electric substations and offices with fiber, we will create a smart grid with more automation capabilities to better serve our members. Smart grid capabilities – the standard for optimum electric infrastructure – allows our devices to communicate with each other and delivers benefits such as improved power outage response times, better load balancing, more efficient electricity delivery, and more.
Our sole reason for offering high-speed internet services is to meet the needs of members like you. You will no longer have to rely on DSL, fixed wireless, or satellite internet to stay connected online. You will be able to stream high-definition media smoothly and quickly, have the data capacity to download and upload data such as files, photos, and videos at super-fast speeds, and have access to the latest technological advancements and applications. Our FTTH world-class service will be reliable, affordable, and backed by your local trusted co-op.
You will be able to run multiple devices – such as cell phones, computers, and laptops – simultaneously in your home or business without decreased download and upload speeds. The table below gives you a speed comparison between what you may have now and what is possible with FTTH.
| Downloads* | Typical DSL/Wireless/Satellite
(3Mbps) |
Standard internet speed
(25 Mbps) |
Fiber Internet
Up to 1000 Mbps (1Gigabit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download 100 photos | 14.7 minutes | 1.8 minutes | 2.6 seconds |
| Download an HD movie | 4.8 hours | 34.4 minutes | 51.5 seconds |
| Download 50 Songs | 8.2 minutes | 1 minute | 1.5 seconds |
| Download a 50GB Game | 39.8 hours | 4.8 hours | 7.2 minutes |
* Download speeds calculated using the following averages:
- Digital Photo - 3.15 MB
- HD Movie - 6 GB
- Song - 3.5 MB
- Game - 50 GB
Voice Service
South Central Connect’s phone service uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Calls you make are processed over the public telephone switched network, which results in a higher quality call than traditional VoIP calls.
In most cases, yes. Phone numbers can be ported from other providers if the account/phone number is still active at the time of the request.
Digital home phone service is available for $29.95 per month for the first line and $19.95 for an additional line. Phone service includes unlimited local and long-distance calling plus the convenient voice service features you look for. All voice service packages require having our internet service.
South Central Connect offers commercial services to connect your business with fiber internet, TV, and phone. Commercial rates are available with a customized quote.
Television Service
Powered by our fiber-to-the-home network, our digital TV service delivers a crystal-clear HD reception with more dependability. Along with greater picture quality, our programming packages give you more channel options.
There are 4 TV packages to choose from:
- Basic - $43.99
- Complete - $109.99
- Advanced - $119.99
- Ultra - $179.99
There are also add-on specialty services and packages to customize your TV service. Details and pricing for these options are on our TV page.
All TV service packages require having our internet service.
With more than 240 channels to choose from, South Central Connect TV service has options for every family. View the channel lineup for each of our packages online on our TV page.
South Central Connect offers commercial services to connect your business with fiber internet and phone. Commercial rates are available on our Business Internet page.
No. South Central Connect’s TV service will have specific set-top boxes that have to be used with our TV programming.
Demarcation FAQ’s
Demarc is the abbreviation of “demarcation point”. Another name for a demarc is an MPOE (minimum/main point-of-entry). This is the physical location where the customer’s equipment connects to the service provider’s equipment.
The demarc determines who is responsible for installation, maintenance, and repairs. For any equipment located before the demarc, it is the service provider's responsibility. For any equipment located after the demarc, it is the customer’s responsibility.
The demarc is typically located in a place that is accessible for technicians. While the exact location can vary, here are some common locations for a demarc:
- On the outside of the building near an electrical meter
- On the inside near an electrical panel
- On the inside on a wall that is adjacent to where the phone line enters the house
Network Interface Device (NID)
The NID is the most basic demarc. The SCC contractors install the NIDs outdoors, giving technicians 24/7 access. A standard, residential NID is small and weatherproof, and it includes wiring termination, a test jack, and circuit protection.
Optical Network Terminal (ONT)
An ONT is a demarc that directly communicates with an internet service provider with fiber optic cabling. Our install technicians connect run cabling from the NID on the outside of your home to the inside where they will connect the ONT. The ONT is the device that handles the WIFI and hardline connections that connect you to the internet.
Older demarcs transmit the electrical signal on a copper line, then it sends those signals to your internet, TV, phones, and computers. Fiber optic cables work the same way, but the cable is filled with glass and uses light to transmit these signals at a much faster rate. The ONT converts these signals into electrical signals that your devices can understand. Additionally, any signals that you send out (such as uploading a video, sending an email, or making a phone call) are sent the same exact way. Thus, providing fast and synchronous upload and download speeds.